Sondela Nature Reserve recently played host to one of the biggest gatherings of Toyota Land Cruiser fanatics in Southern Africa. Nothing grabs attention like a six wheel Land Cruiser trailer dragging through the dust, and a custom rig built by Ulterio Motiv stopped people in their tracks.
Debuting at the Hankook Land Cruiser Festival, Ulterio Motiv’s stand (E38) drew heavy traffic throughout the weekend. And for good reason. On display were three heavily re-engineered vehicles that stretched the imagination, and the wheelbase, of what a Land Cruiser can be.
This was no ordinary setup – it was a fully customised six wheel Land Cruiser trailer configuration designed for power, presence, and practicality.
Meet the Six Wheel Land Cruiser Trailer Bruisers
Ulterio brought out the big guns for their festival debut:
- A Land Cruiser 79 Single-Cab 6×6 powered by the 2.8 GD-6
- A Land Cruiser 79 Double-Cab 6×6, also GD-6-equipped
- And the bruiser: an SVI Engineering Max 3, reworked into a six-wheeler 6×4 platform
All three builds ride on custom-fabricated chassis developed by Ulterio Motiv and designed for serious payload, traction, and overland versatility.
What Makes a Six-Wheel Land Cruiser Trailer Special?
To the uninitiated, adding a third axle might sound like overkill. But to the SA4x4 audience who understand GVM, torque transfer, and rear-end squat, the numbers speak clearly. Both Land Cruiser 6×6 models see their gross vehicle mass (GVM) increased from around 3,200 kg to a hefty 6,050 kg. That’s an extra 2.8 tonnes of carrying ability. The 6×4 Max 3 sits at about 5,500 kg.
And it’s not just brute force. With the added axle comes upgraded rear suspension, three differential locks, hydraulic brake boosters, and more ground contact for reduced pressure per wheel. You’re not just hauling more, you’re hauling smarter.
The 6×4 Max 3 doesn’t drive all six wheels but uses a clever bogie axle design where 60% of the vehicle’s weight loads onto the drive axle. It’s a lighter and more cost-effective option, especially for operators who don’t need full-time off-road grunt.
Built for Anything
What makes these builds more than just showpieces is their flexibility. The Single-Cab 6×6 is essentially a blank canvas for fire services, conservation work, expedition builders or even mobile clinics. The Double-Cab version offers the same load-handling capacity with space for your crew, making it ideal for commercial or recovery operations.
The Max 3 6×4 is something else entirely. Built in collaboration with SVI Engineering, it’s aimed squarely at tactical and specialised commercial markets. Think mine-rescue, armoured personnel transport, or even riot control.
Click on the video below to see three Toyota Land Cruiser 79 bakkies, each fitted with an extra axle:
Hands-On Engagement
What made the Ulterio stand pop wasn’t just the metal. It was the team behind it. Mechanical lead Juan Vosloo and business development director Nicol Louw were on hand all weekend, chatting with attendees, answering questions, and breaking down exactly what goes into converting a Cruiser into a six-wheeled payload beast.
Their builds aren’t available at your local dealership, but they are open to custom requests. If you’ve got a project that needs serious engineering behind it, Ulterio Motiv wants to talk.
A Festival to Remember
Ford Ranger 6×4
With more than 50 exhibitors, convoy drives, a Cruiser world record attempt, and activities for the whole family, the Land Cruiser Festival once again proved why it’s a benchmark for Southern African off-road gatherings.
But even with all that, Ulterio Motiv’s six-wheelers stood out. They weren’t just eye-catching, they were thought-provoking. They challenged what a Cruiser could be, and they gave off-roaders, overlanders, and operators a glimpse of what’s possible with the right hardware, a third axle, and a bit of vision.
The Verdict
South Africa’s 4×4 community is no stranger to big builds, but six wheels, 6-tonne GVMs, and modular chassis platforms are something new. Ulterio Motiv isn’t selling gimmicks. They’re building serious machines for serious applications.
If you missed their stand at Sondela, don’t worry. This isn’t a one-off. Ulterio is just getting started, with more chassis concepts and conversions already in the pipeline.
Whether you’re planning an off-grid expedition, need a platform for mobile operations, or just want to own the most serious Cruiser at the next bush meet, keep an eye on these guys.
They’re building the future. One extra axle at a time.
Join the Six Wheel Land Cruiser Trailer Conversation
If you enjoyed this article or have thoughts on six-wheeled Cruisers, drop us a comment below and share it with your off-road crew. For more serious 4×4 content, news, and gear, make sure you’re subscribed to our SA4x4 Newsletter and join the conversation with us on Facebook. We’ve got a seat waiting for you around the campfire.
